S8323

The New York State Senate passed legislation to amend the Workers' Compensation Law, clearing a significant barrier for injured workers seeking legal representation. Senate Print 8323, sponsored by Sen. Ramos, passed on a 49-7 vote. The bill addresses a gap in current law that prohibits attorneys representing injured workers from communicating directly with their clients' doctors—a restriction that Ramos said creates delays and miscommunication with potentially devastating consequences. Ramos cited testimony from the Labor Committee's first-ever Workers' Compensation oversight hearing, where injured workers and their families described frustration navigating the system. She highlighted the case of Barbara Miller, whose husband suffered a traumatic brain injury while working as a self-employed electrician and struggled to access medical care and insurance information. The bill makes what Ramos called "a simple and obvious fix" that will allow direct attorney-doctor communication. Seven senators voted against the measure: Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Griffo, Helming, Murray, O'Mara and Weik.